The UFC Fight Night 252 prelims feature a light heavyweight clash between Ion "The Hulk" Cutelaba and Ibo "The Last Ottoman" Aslan. Cutelaba, a UFC veteran known for his aggressive, high-paced fighting style, faces off against the surging Aslan, a knockout artist making his second UFC appearance. Both fighters are looking to make a statement—Cutelaba aims to build on his recent split-decision victory over Ivan Erslan, while Aslan seeks to extend his 100% knockout rate and continue his rise in the division.

Cutelaba (18-10-1) is a wild and unpredictable fighter with heavy hands and a relentless offensive approach. With 13 of his 18 wins coming by knockout, he has the power to finish fights early. However, his aggressive style often leaves him vulnerable defensively, as evidenced by his 10 career losses—seven of which came via stoppage. While his wrestling and grappling are underrated, he tends to rely more on overwhelming his opponents with pressure.

Aslan (14-1-0) is a dangerous striker with all 14 of his wins coming via knockout. Training out of Gym 23, he has showcased devastating power in both his hands and kicks. His UFC debut saw him demolish Raffael Cerqueira in under a minute at UFC 308, reaffirming his reputation as a deadly finisher. However, his lone career loss came via submission against Anton Turkalj in 2020, raising questions about his grappling defense—an area Cutelaba could exploit.

Recent performances highlight the potential explosiveness of this matchup. Cutelaba bounced back from a loss to Philipe Lins by grinding out a tough split-decision win over Ivan Erslan. While he has struggled with consistency, his experience against top competition gives him an edge. Aslan, meanwhile, has been on a tear, securing back-to-back UFC wins over Cerqueira and Anton Turkalj, both via TKO. His striking is precise and powerful, but his takedown defense has yet to be fully tested at this level.

The key to victory for Cutelaba will be his ability to mix in wrestling and avoid reckless exchanges. If he can take Aslan down, he has the tools to control the fight and possibly secure a finish. Aslan, on the other hand, will need to capitalize on Cutelaba’s defensive lapses and land heavy shots early. If he can keep the fight standing and avoid being taken down, his knockout power could make the difference.

This is a high-risk, high-reward fight for both men. While Aslan’s power is a legitimate threat, Cutelaba’s experience and well-rounded skill set give him the edge if he fights smart.

Prediction: Ion Cutelaba wins via TKO (Round 2).